Dot, dot, dot, dash, dash, dash, dot, dot, dot. That’s Morse code for S O S. To me it’s a song title popularized by Abba. The line “Can’t you hear me S.O.S?” might stay with you for a bit now if you are of my generation. In reality it is a signal selected in the early 1900’s for its ease and clarity in sending and receiving in times of distress. The dots and dashes referring to the letters S O S improved upon a former sequence of more complicated code that stood for the letters C Q D. We humans like our letters to stand for something. Come Quick, Distress was changed to Save Our Ship.

Change is the constant in our lives and the topic on our minds as 2015 exits. No one wants a repeat of the same ol’ s*^# in the coming year, so though we might vow not to make resolutions we can’t keep, we do it anyway, even if we don’t post our good intentions on facebook or tape them on the fridge.

A common plan is to join the gym, hit the track, chow down on more veggies. Take a look at the Hello Parody video on YouTube, a spin-off of the current hit by Adele. Your abs will get a workout from the belly laughs.

So some other slant on greeting the new year might help. It’s high time to wipe off the slate of subjects old and useless, in search of substantiality to save our souls from stacks of similarities that clutter up the new year with the same old statistics as the end result. We might strive to avoid the sickening overdose of sameness by slaying our sinister demons that push us toward a downward spiral of soul-searching.

Soul-searching should be uplifting. The songs of our souls can benefit from the science of success to secure a string of smiles throughout 2016. Don’t forget that the same ol’ stinkin’ thinkin’ produces the same ol’ snags to change. Shove out senseless oppressive stuff so 2016 earns a stamp of satisfaction on its exit. Startling outcomes surface in conjunction with action fueled by thoughtful change.

May the Force be with you!

PS. I had fun stringing s-o-s phrases together. How many can you find?

This was initially written to appear in the December 30, 2015 edition of the Prospect-News, the local weekly in Doniphan, MO.

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About Teresa Pearson Lee

Retired after 33 years of teaching English and French (one year in private school in Memphis, TN and the rest in public school in Doniphan, MO. Enjoying new adventures - all those things I put off for lack of time, energy, now I can try them! Pottery, writing, traveling, camping, kayaking, dancing, listening to some of the best live music ever, and making lively new friendships. All christened with an appreciation for great red wine!
Created and operated KC's on the Current, then sold it and managed it for new owners. You might still find me at the reservation desk when spring rolls around.
Born and raised in St. Louis, MO near The Hill. Though a transplant to Southeast Missouri, still a city gal at the core with a deep love of the natural resources in these Ozark foothills.
Currently I am a content coordinator for Poplar Bluff Living Magazine and a columnist/stringer for the local weekly The Prospect News. My rescue Siamese helps with most of the proofreading; he has a great ear.
I relish the solitude easily had in the Mark Twain Forest but thoroughly enjoy lively outings for music, wine, conversation close to home or in my beloved hometown.
Technology is my greatest challenge but so worth the shared connections. There may be a need for solitude but there is little loneliness.
The material in this blog written by Teresa Lee is her property and cannot be used without express written consent to do so.